The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-10-18
GRAND MUSIC FESTIVAL.
WHY SHOULD NOT MEMPHIS REyEL
IN SWEET HARMoNIEsq
Suggestion From n Memphis Member
Of the National Opera Company
The city Must Keep Up with Nash.
willie.

An effort is on foot to give Memphis n
grand operate festival, TO continue three.
four or five nights, or an entire week. as
may be arranged. The movement, so far
ms 1t has been discussed, is meeting with
unqualified Endorsement. The city has an
abundance of musical talent and lovers of
the divine art, and with the reinforcemcnts
that rs&id easily be drawn from the sur
rounding country, the brief season could
be made richly profitable. Theid idea is not
to introduce local talent on the program.
but to cntrust the entire affair 10 Charles
Il. Locke, manager of the National Ameri-
can opera company. That gentleman has
recently assumed entire control of the com
pany, as will be seen from the following
interview, which recently appeared in the
Boston Herald:
The reported transfer OF the plant of
the National opera company 20 Manager
Charles i. Locke, who has organized n
company To continue the plan of giving
grand opera in English during the coming
season, has caused much excitement in
musical circles here, and, in a conversation
concerning the transfer today, Mrs. Thur.
Der said: Yes, it's all true, and Mr..
Locke has the property complete, on GER
tain conditions. First, the property passes
into the possession Of Mr.. Locke under an
arrangement by which its proceeds will
become available for the settlement of the
claims Of the artists Of the National opera
company. This will prevent tho proper
ties referred 10 from being even temporarily
useless, and will bring out, as fully as Il
we had continued 20 own them, their
earning capacity; at the same time, what
was obtained for n national purpose will
continue TO serve a national end. Second,
that all pupils Of the conservatory
desiring to adopt nm operate career shall
receive appointments according 10 their
capacity; that one-iourth OF their salaries
during five years shall be devoted 10 ex-
tending the usefulness OF that institution.
Third, that Mr.. Locke will be assisted by
IN advisory committee in regard 10 choice
oi presentation OF the various Operas, and
the selection 10 whom thew are TO be in.
trusted. Fourth, that ut least one opera
should he produced each year written by
an American composer. Every effort will
thus be- made to satisfy n long ~disrcgnrded
claim, and Ia secure such artistic excel
lence M II IL hoped and believed will ~
suit in warm and lasting support. Under
these conditions, II has been decided 10 let
MIR. Locke have the properties. and he
alone viii be responsible Tor the financial
management. II IL right, however, toadd
mat every encouragement possible will be
gwen him, and That no one will morn
readily welcome his success than myself 4"
Mr. Locke, II will bc remembered. took
n lively part and interest in the celcbrnted
Theodore Thomas Mozart society festivals
In 1881, which r~cdoundcd 40 largely to
the credit Of Memphis, and gave her sich
prominence as a musical and c%ntcrprising
city. The same energies which brought
them about, II expended now, would be-
successful, rs the city IL In much
better condition 10 receive such an at
Besides, M will b. seen from
MIR. Skillcttc's letter, which appears be.
low, Nashville Is TO have the company,
and Meiaphls cannot afford 10 he outdone.
Mr.. Sinclair Skillcttc, u Memphis boy,
who figured ~ crcditahly in musical cir
clcs, and joined the American opera COM
pany three years ago, addressed the fol.
letter to a prominent gentleman of
this city, which the latter. on account Of
pressing business engagements, referred 10
the ArrEAE
You will doubtless he surprised, but |
trust none the less Interested, In the sub
- ~ wv NNNNNNNNNNliNNNN DlANNlNNEn nM III /
should interest all Memphians and he a
source Of joy, | trust, 20 their waiting mn.
steal souls. As n member oi the National
lAmericanl opera company, auggra,ed
the idea Of n profitable visit 10 Memphis 10
our manager. Charles 4. Locke, aud lac
heartily approved Of the suggestion, pro.
vided a guarantee could bc raised there for
thrcc, four ur five performances during the
winter ot spring, in the thcatcr ar cxposi.
ton building, at the option 81 the Memphis
public. In either place. OF at either time.
II could he made grand operate festival,
and We could draw lapclyO ON the surround.
Ing country, n on the o~ccaHion of tho
1homas festival: but NJ an operate nltuc.
ton our success would certainly cxc,ssl
that Of lssS-si, especially with such
attractions as 'Lobcngrin,' Aida,
Faust. 'Hugucnots. > 'Iannhauscr' >
Queen 81 Shcba,' Flying Duichman.'
.lakme, Meistcrsingcr' aud The
frnphct.' The fact that We play Nash.
VILE should make II an object that Mem.
phis should work for Il, aud my object IN
writing you Is 10 ask for your influence in
me movement, and II You think fhyoably
OFT would be pleased 20 have your i'm. |
mediate rply, when | shall give YOU all
The financial and most satisfactory terms | |
mn. ioun truly,
.w "SIScLAm S~KiLLErTE.
We open the season November Z In
Philadelphia, Pa"
Then is not the shadow Of rason why
inc people Of Memphis should not have
this attraction, an undoubtedly fine one.
uuarhnicc funds should not inghton them
away irum the undertaking. The most
unfortunate feature IL an absence III a hall
larry enough 10 seat the audiences which
could and would attend. The entire mat.
Ter Is respectfully referred 10 thosc gentle.
men now In the city who labored ~ car.
nesiiy and successfully for the Thomas
festivals, and The ArrEAL will take great
p,esSdn IN lending every assistance posi-.